Like “The Boys,” “Invincible” owes an overt debt to DC’s Justice League, with a team of superheroes known as the Guardians of the Globe, and later a more youthful group of teen, um, titans, who — thanks to a rather shocking development — are forced to grow up fast.
The premiere starts somewhat slowly, but it builds toward a big and brutal moment, one that sets up a serialized mystery at the show’s core. Yet that’s just one part of a concept that also plays with the coming-of-age aspects of Mark’s story, from picking a costume to settling on a name that mirrors the title; to more mundane concerns, like dealing with high school, teenage hormones and his concerned mom (Sandra Oh).
Animation remains an ideal medium for comic-book adaptations, as evidenced by Warner Bros.’s harder-edged parade of DC titles, some of which carry R ratings. The action here is crisp and at times extremely gory, in a way that makes very clear — or should — that this isn’t intended for kids.
That sense of familiarity doesn’t necessarily undermine “Invincible” on its merits, but it does make the exercise unavoidably feel a bit been there, seen that. Take it as a sign of the times, at a moment when costumed heroes — good, bad or otherwise — seem to come cheaper by the dozen.
“Invincible” premieres March 26 on Amazon.